Audio game board device

ABSTRACT

A game comprises a memory device for storing a plurality of audio clips, a game board, game pieces movable to different regions of the game board, a sensor of the position of game pieces on the game board, a microprocessor programmed to select audio clips from the memory device responsive to the sensor, and a play-back device for reproducing the selected audio clips.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority date of Provisional Application No. 60/276,529, filed Mar. 16, 2001, and Provisional Application No. 60/299,269, filed Jun. 19, 2001, the disclosures of which are incorporated fully herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An apparatus comprised of a game board; a plurality of game pieces; a microelectronic storage device for digital storage of audio tracks (such as an MP3 storage device); an audio amplifier; one or more audio speakers; a microelectronic processor together with software in the processor or an ASIC chip to store software (such as voice synthesis and/or voice recognition software and/or randomization algorithm software) select audio clips either randomly or by category or sequentially; a control console with buttons or other activators to activate playback and to select a variety of functions, such as “play,” “repeat,” “answer,” “clue,” “category,” and/or “timer”; cartridges for digital storage of audio information; and, optionally, an LED display to fulfill such functions as keeping score, providing correct answers, listing category choices, or identifying the next move on the board. An alternative version may include video storage, display and playback. The entire apparatus may be included (as illustrated) as an integral part of the game board; in the alternative, some of the components (such as the control console, the speakers, the storage device and/or the processor) may be separated from the game board. The device could run on batteries and/or an outside power source. The game pieces could be solid, in a variety of shapes or designs; or they could be electronic with an RF, infrared or other device for transmitting location or other information to an electronic sensor in the gameboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the game is to correctly identify audio (or in the alternative version, audiovisual) clips that are replayed by the device. The game may be played by a single individual (the solitaire version), by a plurality of individual players, or by teams of two or more players. The game may be played for entertainment and/or educational or training purposes, and may take a wide variety of forms. One example is a “Name that Tune” game in which the players must correctly identify a particular piece of music from a brief audio clip played back by the device when the player activates the control console or moves his or her game piece to a particular location on the game board. Correct answers are identified by an audio playback (such as synthesized voice that says “correct!” or “wrong” or “would you like a clue.”

[0004] Object

[0005] Answer questions correctly to accrue dollars and buy instruments for a band. First player to create a band and get a recording contract wins.

[0006] To Play

[0007] Spin “CD” and move playing piece to category on board. Each category represents a decade; there is also a wild card category (the “Music Store”). [Note that spaces will be labeled with place names, e.g. “Sock Hop, pick a ‘50's card,” in order to make the game board more appealing. Further note that, although questions are sorted by decade, they will represent a wide variety of music types; see Categories section below.]

[0008] Draw card from appropriate category. Card will either ask question or will indicate “Audio Question.”

[0009] Non-audio cards have three questions, representing three different levels of difficulty. Each level is worth progressively more dollars. Players must choose level before being read questions.

[0010] Audio cards direct player to push appropriate decade button on Audio Console to hear question. All audio questions are worth the same dollar value.

[0011] Answer question. Correct answers are displayed either on back of card (non-audio questions) or on Audio Console LCD screen (audio question). Correct answer allows you to collect dollars and take another turn; incorrect answers moves play to next person.

[0012] If you land on “You're Busted”, you mush push the Karaoke button on the Play Console and sing the karaoke indicated. If you choose not to sing, you are on “probation” for the next two turns (i.e. skip two turns).

[0013] Each instrument is worth a certain number of dollars. As you accrue dollars, you may use them to buy these instruments. You need to buy one of each of five instruments in order to fully assemble your band.

[0014] Once you have assembled your band, you mush proceed to the Recording Studio (in center of board). When you arrive at the Recording Studio, answer a Music Store (wild card) audio question in order to get your recording contract.

[0015] Game Pieces

[0016] Audio Console (1)

[0017] Category Cards (for non-audio questions, questions appear on one side and answers on the other; for audio questions, the card is printed with directions to push appropriate decade button on Audio Console)

[0018] Playing Board

[0019] Score pads for accruing dollars as you answer questions and deducting them as you buy instruments

[0020] Instrument pieces (30-six sets of five different instrumetns)

[0021] Instruments

[0022] Drums

[0023] Keyboard

[0024] Guitar

[0025] Saxophone

[0026] Microphone

[0027] Categories

[0028] Fifties and before

[0029] Sixties

[0030] Seventies

[0031] Eighties

[0032] Nineties and after

[0033] The Music Store (Wild Card)

[0034] Questions will cover all music formats and types, including the following:

[0035] Rock

[0036] Pop

[0037] Country

[0038] Blues/Jass

[0039] Hip Hop/Rap

[0040] Classical

[0041] Musical Theater

[0042] Film/TV Themes

[0043] Commercial Jingles

[0044] Children's Music

[0045] Spoken soundbites

[0046] Questions may also include misunderstood lyrics, backwards songs, sped up songs, bizarre (e.g. accordian) versions of songs

[0047] Examples of How Spaces can be Labeled

[0048] “Sock Hop” (Fifties)

[0049] Rock ‘n’ Roll Diner (Fifties)

[0050] Woodstock (Sixties)

[0051] Disco (Seventies)

[0052] Night Club (Eighties)

[0053] Mosh Pit (Nineties) 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game comprising: a memory device for storing a plurality of audio clips; a game board; game pieces movable to different regions of the game board; means for sensing the position of game pieces on the game board; a microprocessor programmed to select audio clips from the memory device responsive to the sensing means; and means for reproducing the selected audio clips. 